Enrile mulls resignation as presiding officer

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is also acting as presiding officer of the impeachment court, on Tuesday said he is willing to vacate his post after the the prosecution panel requested for a more “liberal” court.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, chief public prosecutor, earlier asked the impeachment court for flexibility in applying rules. “Flexibility to the point that we will be able to elicit evidence from witness,” Tupas said.

Enrile then asked Tupas, “Are you suggesting we should allow misleading questions and hearsay evidence? Are you suggesting that we relax the best evidence rule?”

“No, we are not. It's just giving flexibility to the prosecution,” Tupas responded.

But the presiding officer hit the prosecution panel for being unprepared for the trial.

“I want to be candid with you. You had time to marshal your evidence. I assume you had assembled evidence for each article,” Enrile said.